"As an experienced nurse[ Lecturer ..."

What I liked

As an experienced nurse[ Lecturer Practitioner] I was basically unhappy with the care received at Colchester to my Father.

The nurses and medical staff were friendly and attempted to put things right after events had been highlighted.

That the staff were flexible regarding visiting as my Father required constant attention to keep monitoring in situ

What could be improved

- Communication between nursing and medical staff and junior to senior Doctors.

How:

By the nurse in charge being present on the ward round or at the least the named nurse for their patients being there.

A regular ward round at a certain time each morning and maybe even each evening

For medical notes to be thorough and all changes documented.'It hasn't been documented' was a reason given.

For me I wanted to be able to read my Fathers medical notes to get an overall picture. I was willing to follow the protocol, but was told the person who deals with this wasn't back to Monday. This was Wednesday. I have to say I felt I was being fobbed off.

Being made aware of who the person in charge.

How: By just saying 'hello' and a person to contact if there were problems/concerns not able to be sorted out by the nurses.

A photo board of the staff would help patients recognise the staff on duty and their level - ie whether they were a HCA, S/n, SSN, Sr, Student

Basic nursing care not given as far as hygiene needs.

How: If the care could not be given for a reason, communication to my Mother on what had or hadn't been done ie had had a shave, but not a wash. My Father needed help with all aspects of care, but could carry it out if given everything ie a bowl, his wash bag etc and supervised.

Most of this information we found out from the other patients in the bay.

Essential drugs to be given if prescribed. I found drugs not given/signed for on several occasions. One reason given to me was ' my Father was asleep' which was not acceptable as these were cardiac and anti epileptic drugs.

I speak for my situation, but am aware of other situations to other patients. ie the patient self medicating but the information being wrong on the box and therefore the patient not taking the right dose, presumbly because the prescription chart sent to pharmacy was wrong.

The patient who had an investigation cancelled twice and was nil by mouth one day for 12 hours before being told it was not happening